Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventy’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventy’, selected for its fruit size, consistency of size and shape of fruit, fruit glossiness and appearance, fruit eating quality, flavor, and texture, partially remontant type of bearing with yield from both early and late fruiting, plant architecture, plant vigor, and long fruit trusses, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSeventy’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSeventy’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘139T272’ (unpatented) and the male parent ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,378). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawSeventy’, were asexually propagated via stolons in McArthur, Shasta County, Calif. in September of 2012. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ was later specifically identified and selected in Hillsborough County, Fla. in January of 2013.

‘DrisStrawSeventy’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at a farm in Hillsborough County, Fla. for six years (2013 to 2018). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSeventy’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Hillsborough County, Fla.:

-   -   1. Semi-upright plant growth habit;     -   2. Inflorescence above foliage; and     -   3. Calyx attachment level with fruit.

‘DrisStrawSeventy’ was selected for its fruit size, consistency of size and shape of fruit, fruit glossiness and appearance, fruit eating quality, flavor, and texture, partially remontant type of bearing with yield from both early and late fruiting, plant architecture, plant vigor, and long fruit trusses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, flowers, leaves, and plants in the field. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are four months from time of transplant at nursery.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventy’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventy’.

FIG. 3 shows the upper and lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventy’.

FIG. 4 shows the upper surface of leaves of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventy’.

FIG. 5 illustrates fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ at different maturation stages.

FIG. 6 illustrates plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventy’.

FIG. 7 illustrates a field of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventy’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawSeventy’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Hillsborough County, Fla. from 2013 to 2018. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ was taken from plants that were four month from time of transplant at nursery. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSeventy’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘139T272’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The variety ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’ (U.S. Plant             Pat. No. 23,378). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—22.4 cm.         -   Diameter.—33.2 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—2.4.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.         -   Density of foliage.—Medium.         -   Vigor.—Medium. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—10.         -   Diameter at bract.—3.41 mm.         -   Density of pubescence.—Sparse.         -   Stolon color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Strong.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 50B (Deep pink). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS 137A (Moderate olive green).         -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 139C (Moderate yellowish green).         -   Blistering.—Medium.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 8.3 cm. Width: 7.9 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.0. Number of teeth/terminal leaflet:             19.6. Leaflet shape: Orbicular. Leaflet apex: Rounded. Shape             of base: Obtuse. Margin: Crenate. Shape in cross section:             Straight.         -   Petiole.—Color of petiole: RHS 150C (Brilliant yellowish             green). Length: 15.3 cm. Diameter: 2.9 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Horizontal. Bract frequency (number present on each             petiole): 1.1.         -   Petiolule.—Color of petiolule: RHS 150C (Brilliant yellowish             green). Length: 12.0 mm. Diameter: 1.6 mm.         -   Stipule.—Length: 2.8 cm. Width: 8.2 mm. Stipule color: RHS             63A (Strong purplish red). Anthocyanin coloration: Medium.             Anthocyanin color: RHS 47A (Moderate red). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Above.         -   Pedicel.—Pedicel length: 21.25 cm. Pedicel diameter:             2.11 mm. Color of pedicel: RHS 150C (Brilliant yellowish             green). Attitude of hairs: Upwards.         -   Flower.—Flower depth: 11.0 mm. Flower diameter (petal tip to             petal tip on non-flattened flower): 25.79 mm. Arrangement of             petals: Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Stamen length:             1.97 mm. Stamen width: 0.5 mm. Stamen shape: Dorsifixed.             Stamen color: RHS 1C (Light greenish yellow). Number of             stamens per flower: 27.6. Anther color: RHS 13A (Vivid             yellow). Typical and observed number of flowers per plant:             3.30.         -   Petal.—Petal shape: Orbicular. Petal apex: Rounded. Petal             margin: Smooth. Petal base: Concave to convex. Length:             9.90 mm. Width: 10.37 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.0. Typical             and observed petal number: 5.7. Color of upper side: RHS             155C (Greenish white). Color of lower side: RHS 155C             (Greenish white).         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 36.66 mm.         -   Sepal.—Sepal shape: Elliptical. Sepal apex: Convex. Sepal             margin: Smooth to serrate (mostly smooth). Color of upper             side: RHS 144A (Strong yellowish green). Color of lower             side: RHS 139C (Moderate yellowish green). Length (sepal tip             to point of attachment to receptacle): 14.22 mm. Width:             7.03 mm. Typical and observed sepal number: 11.20. -   Fruit truss:     -   -   Length (from crown to base of terminal flower or             fruit).—21.25 cm.         -   Diameter (at the base of truss).—2.48 mm.         -   Number of berries per fruiting truss (count flowers,             berries, and “stumps”).—1.40.         -   Color of truss.—RHS 150C (Brilliant yellowish green). -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—44.03 mm.         -   Width.—40.48 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.1.         -   Fruit hollow length.—9.75 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—4.76 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—2.         -   Fruit weight.—26.9 g/fruit.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Differences in shape between primary and secondary             fruit.—None or very slight.         -   Color.—RHS 46B (Vivid red).         -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Strong.         -   Width of the band without achenes.—Narrow.         -   Firmness.—Firm.         -   Achenes.—Position of achenes: Level with surface. Color of             achenes: RHS 34A (Vivid reddish orange). Number of achenes             per fruit: 276. Achene weight: 5 mg.         -   Peduncle.—Peduncle length: 17.5 cm. Peduncle diameter: 4.6             mm.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 33A (Vivid reddish             orange).         -   Color of core.—RHS 33B (Vivid reddish orange).         -   Titratable acidity (as citric acid content).—0.94%.         -   Sugar content (as soluble solids in brix).—8.3°. -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—November to late March.         -   Harvest interval.—Late November to early April.         -   Type of bearing.—Partially remontant.         -   Productivity.—0.588 kg to 0.946 kg of fruit per plant per             season from seven-month-old plants when grown in Plant City,             Hillsborough County, Fla. -   Resistance to diseases, pests, and abiotic stress:     -   -   Heat.—Moderately resistant.         -   Rain damage.—Moderately resistant.         -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Susceptible.         -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera inacularis).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Anthracnose crown rot (colletoirichum aculatum).—Highly             susceptible.         -   Charcoal rot (macrophomina phaseolina).—Highly susceptible.         -   Angular leaf spot (xanihomonas fragariae).—Moderately             resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSeventy’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘139T272’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ is more vigorous and begins production earlier than ‘139T272’. In addition, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ are larger, softer, lighter in color, and have a more consistent and conic shape than fruit of ‘139T272’.

‘DrisStrawSeventy’ differs from the male parent and commercial variety ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,378) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ has a semi-upright plant growth habit, inflorescence above foliage, achenes level with fruit surface, and calyx attachment level with fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’ has a spreading plant growth habit, inflorescence beneath foliage, achenes above fruit surface, and calyx attachment raise from fruit. Further, production of ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ begins a few days later than ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’, and even though early yield of ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ does not typically reach the level of ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’, ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ tends to meet or exceed ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’ for late and total yield by end of March. Moreover, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ are larger, and has better shelf life and flavor than fruit of ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’.

‘DrisStrawSeventy’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,936) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ has a semi-upright plant growth habit, an obtuse shape of base of terminal leaflet, a straight shape in cross section of terminal leaflet, and calyx attachment level with fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawSixtyFour’ has a spreading growth habit, a rounded shape of base of terminal leaflet, a concave shape in cross section of terminal leaflet, and calyx attachment inserted in fruit.

‘DrisStrawSeventy’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawFortyNine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,682) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ has a semi-upright plant growth habit, an obtuse shape of base of terminal leaflet, a straight shape in cross section of terminal leaflet, and calyx attachment level with fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawFortyNine’ has a semi-upright to spreading plant growth habit, a rounded shape of base of terminal leaflet, a concave to straight shape in cross section of terminal leaflet, and calyx attachment inserted in fruit. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventy’ as shown and described herein. 